PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah
George Rawlinson [1812-1902] · 132,821 words · 151 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 61
and abettors. A certain ShemaiRh, who ap• and by Geshern the Arabian." The pre- pears to have been at once a prophet (ver. position S is repeated with Geshern but not 12) and a priest (ver. 11), allowed himself to with Tobiah, probably because 'l.'obiah was be "hired" by Tobiah and Sanballat, and Sanballat's subordi…
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of priests who afterwards signed the cove- my misconduct a. constant reproach to rno. nant (eh. x. 8); but the names in that list Nehemia.h's influence depended greatly on do not appear to be personal. There is a the weight of his moral character. Ono Shcm11i11h also among the priests who took false step, and he wou…
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t.o dnrk (ibid. vcr. 21). The wall att1t1ned v. p. 157) ; but tho oxprossion "in thoae to half its l1eight in a very short time (ibid. days" seems rather to throw back the events ver. 6),-tb_ere was then a b1;ef interruption, into the time during which the wall was in -after which came the main work of com- building…
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hie hands, i. e. to give him vigour and courage to complete his undertaking, ri.nd keep the people stedfnst in the work until it was done. The paragraph suggest8- 1. 'fhe persistence of the onernies of Christ in their opposition to his cause. His work in the individual, or in the Church as a whole. Now violence, and no…
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~·orl~s of active benevolence, or even to diligence in his secular calling. 2. The Fenhment may be pushed too far. Human nature cannot bear a perpetual strain ; is not the better for incessant concentration on even the highest subjects and pursuits. ·we need variety. Recreation (truly such) is as much a duty as seri…
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disnffection and division. 2. The baseness of treachery. 3. The heinous wickedness of those who from worldly motives prostitute sacred functions. 4. The duty and wisdom of private judgment (see 1 John iv. 1). Spiritual teachers, not only through love of money, but from other motives and influences, or from incapacity, …
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Vers. 1-9.-The Chri,st:ian workman. Nehemiah was an instance, and will ever be the type, of a faithful workman in the cause of God ; from his conduct and career we may learn- I. How VALUAJILE ONE WORKMAN MAY PROVE (vere. 1, 2). Sin sometimes pays an unconscious tribute to integrity and worth. It acts on the assumption…
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Yers. 1-16.-.The temptatwns of earMSt moral life and service. I. THE WAY IN WHICH THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF EARNEST MORAL LIFE AND SERVICE ARE MADE KNOWN TO 'lncK~m MEN. "Now it came to pa~s, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there…
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best to serve 0111· Master nnd our fellows, o.nd are naturally looking to those who are bound in the aame holy bonds with ourselves, more especially to those who are as "prophets " or "prophetesses " in our ranks, or to those who are as " nobles " amongst us, to stand by our side and aid us in our toil, and when, inste…
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security of the fortress. Nehelllil\ll speaks Ver. 1.-The porters and the singer■ and here of his having set up the doors (ver. 1) ; the Levites. The porters nnd the singers but it appears from eh. iii. that the actue.l were themselves Levites, but nre often dis• tinguished from their brethren, who had no work of s…
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HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-4.-Provision for safety and numerical inc,rease. The wall being com- pleted and the gates set in their places, Nehemiah takes measures for the regular defence of the city, and for increasing its population. I. TnE GUARDING OF THE CITY-GATES he assigns to the gate-keepers of the temple, the sing…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. \"ers. 1--4.,.Moral guardia'Tl,8hip. L THE THINGS m THE CHuncH WHICH NEED TO BE GUARDED. "Charge over Jerusalem" (ver. 2). 1. The doctrines of the Church. 2. The members of the Church. 3. The temporal interests of the Church, 4. The work of the Church. 5. !!'he reputation of the Church. …
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the others in the s&me order &S Ezra, but Kennicott's theory, that the three lists- spells some of the n&mes differontly-e. g. that of Ezra, that of Nehemiah, and that in '· Azariah " for " Seraiah " " Raltmiah " for the first of Esdras-had all one original, and "Reelaiah," "Misperetb." for "Mizpar," that the existi…
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I. TH[!: COMPARATIVE FEWNESS AND 0ENERAL POVERTY OF THE RETURNING PEOPLP:. The mnjority of their brethren preferred their position among the heathen to the honour and peril of aiding to re-establish their nation in their own land. The temptation to this course was greatest in the case of men of substance, and most of t…
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Vel"I!. 70-73.-A good colkctwn. The conclusion of the document found by Nehemiah, being chiefly an account of the gifts of the returned people toward11 the cost of rebuilding the temple and restoring its services. I. THE OBJECT OF THE COLLECTION. The restoration of the temple and its services lay very near their he…
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EXPOSITION. and that Ezra's name should have been CHAPTER VIII. introduced so suddenly and without explan- RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE PEOPLE ation, as it is in eh. viii 1. But the narra- DY EZRA, AND OELEBRATION OF THE FEAST tive in this place, as already observed OF TABERNACLES (eh. viii.). It can scarcely (Intro…
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th~refore, to be most probable that he had good effect of these proceedings on his part been recalled to the court early in B.O. 456, appears in the next two chapters. and tl1Rt he was only no~· in the summer of Ver. 1.-The chapter shouhl commence, n.c. 444 allowed to return, perhaps at his own as in the Septuagint,…
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not to bo supposed that they stood during tho reading they .ca?sed the people to un- the whole of the six hours that Ezra's read- derstand by explammg the meaning of each ing lasted. passage. Ver. 6.-Ezra. blessed the Lord. Ezra. Ver. 9.-Nehemiah, wbich ia the Tir- began by an ascription of praise to Jehovah, ahatha. …
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Levites who assisted him (ver. 7). Ezra probably read the Hebrew text, and tl ,e Le,·1tes trnnslated where necessary, and expounded, each perhaps to a different woup. These exercises were-I. Commenced with worship (ver. 6). 2. Conducted With great care. From an elevated platform (ver. 4). The reading distinct, the …
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III. CoNSIDERA.'rION OF THE PRESENCE OF Goo. Active faith in him as near, invit- ing to communion with himself, observing the state and conduct of each professing worshipper, speaking in the word and by the preacher, claiming a reverent regard to his declarations, ready to bless and save. IV. SELF-CONTROL. Over the th…
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~elie,er~ ;_ his works and go,ernment ( in creati?n, providence, and grace) ; his special rnterpos1t10ns-for Israel, for mankind, especially in and by the Lord Jesus·1 hie word and the understanding of it (,er. 12); bis operations in each heart and life. 2. From God. All joy which is his gift has his stamp of approv…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-8.-The word of life. The public reading and exposition of the law of Moses in the presence of all the people as soon as possible after their settlement in their cities and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. I. THE PEOPLE WANT, and must have, THE SCRIPTURES BOTH FAMILIARISED BY REPE- TIT…
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to d"·"\l upon it. The sacred and beloved city of God is now secure, its walls are rebuilt, its gates replaced and shut; its inhabitants are no longer struggling with hope end fear,-a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other,-but rejoicing in their strength and peace; internal discords are now arranged, and breth…
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and feelings of the people heavenwards to the very throne of God, so that " all the people shall answer, Amen, Amen," and "worship the Lord" in spirit and in truth (ver. 6). There is no higher or greater service man can render man than that of helping him to come into close and living fellowship with the Father, the Sa…
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freedom,--all together moved and swnyed their souls with powerfu\ emotion ; and "all the people wept" (ver. 9). It was an interesting instance of religious emotion, alld what followed tenches us- I. THAT RELIGIOUS EMOTION MUST BE MANFULLY CONTROLLED (ver. 9). Nehemiah ~nd Ezra, and " the Levites that taught the peo…
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EXPOSITION. Ver, 13.-And on the second day were Rather "oleaster branches." Branches of gathered together the chief of the fathers. thick trees. The same expression is used in At times it is true that "increase of appetite Lev. xxiii. 40, the meaning in each place doth grow by what it feeds on." Once let being uncerta…
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HOMILETICS. Vers. 13-18.-.An influential, congregation. Account of a smaller gathecing than that recorded in the first part of the chapter, but likely from its character to be equally or more fruitful of good. I. THE MEETING CONVENED (ver. 13). 1. The congregation. Select ; consisting of the principal heads of hou…
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... thnt the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month" (ver. 14). They came upon the commandment record~d in Levit. x.xiii., enjoining the observance of the feast of tabernacles or booths. This must have fallen partially, if not wholly, into disuse, though we know from Ezra iii. 4 …
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EXPOSITION. day had ceased. Perhaps the time for pre- CHAPTER IX. paration which the selection of this "feast SOLEMN FAST XEPT, WITH CONFESSION of sorrow" would have allowed seemed too OF SINS ; O"D VOLUNTAJJ.Y COVENANT WITH short Perhaps it was thought undesirable GOD E:l\"TERED I:i-.'TO BY THE PEOPLE, AND to se…
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this tho Levites took the word, and, in the not, however, as actual readers but as name of the whole people, blessed God, listeners. The readers would be the Levites acknowledged his gracious providence and (see eh. viii. 7, 8). One fourth part of the special goodness towards Israel throughout day. The day and the nicr…
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(Ps. xxxvi. 6) ; but this acknowledgment Vor. 15. -Bread from heaven. The falls very far short of the universality of the manna had been elrcndy called the "bread present p~sege. Man naturally, but fool- of hoavcn" (Ps. cv. 40) nnd the "corn of ishly, fancies that things once created are heaven" (Ps. lxxviii. 24) by…
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as in ver. 8, the Ci,.nao.nites nre spoken of as son of Jehoiada, Hnldah, and (perhaps) 0110 of the nntione co.et out ; sometimes the Hosai. The guilt of the Jewish people was word is used in o. lo.rger sense, o.nd includes enormously increased by the fact that they the other six nations. Here we have the would not giv…
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HOMILETICS Vers. 1-3.-A special fast day-how spent. This chatter and the next contait. an account of the proceedings of a day set apart for specia fasting and humiliation These three verses give a general description of the proceedings. I. The DATE. The 24th day of the month Tisri ; only one clear day having passe…
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Vere. 4-6.-United praise. Commencement of the worship and confessions with general praise. I. THE LEADERS OF THE WORSHIP. An honourable and responsible office. II. THEIR EXHORTATION TO THE PEOPLE. 1. As to the attitude in which they were to offer praise. "Stand up "-the fitting posture for this part of Divine worship.…
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meroly outwarrl prnctices constitute faithfulness before God. 2. Its reality. Jt 1~ foithfulness "before God," such as he who searches the hoe.rt ce.n see to exist; not merely what men might from outward appearances erroneously think to exist. 3. ltB principle, Faith in God (see above, IV.). 4. Its manifestations. (1) …
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Vers. 12-21.-Israel in the desert. The people now recount tha mercies of God to their fathers in the desert, and confess the sins of which they were guilty there. After deliverance from Egypt, the desert had to be passed before Canaan could be reached; and there the people were instructed and organised, tried and pr…
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Ver. 20.-The Holy Spirit as a Teacher. "Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them." This assertion is more emphatically true of Christians than of Israel. We live under "the dispensation of the Spirit," when the "promise of the Spirit'' is more abundantly fulfilled. We have here- I. A WONDERFUL DISPLAY OF D…
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Vers. 22-25.-0anaan conquered and possessed. Continuin&" the recital of the goodne~s of God to their nation, the people narrate how their fathers obtained possess10n of the promised land. All is ascribed to God. I. HE PREiiERVED THE NATION to enter the land (ver. 23). Althouo-h those who left Egypt died, two except…
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is inflicted that sin may be subdued. 3. Amendment produced by suffering is often only temporary. 4. Persistence in sin insures ultimate ruin. 5. The goodness of God is shown in the testimony he maintains against sin, and the chastisements he inflicts on the sinner. 6. God is faithful to his promises, although men prov…
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answer the design of punishment, and therefore be now terminated" ( comp. lea. :xl. 2). 2. Their present depressed condition (vere. 36, 37). A condition of subjeotion to the Gentiles, of spoliation, and of "great distress." III. AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE IN THEIR TREATMENT (vers. 33-35). IV. A DECLARATION O…
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(1) so many as to keep us from taking a fair share in the duties of daily life and of citizenship, or as to lead insensibly to formality and ceremonialism; nor should they be (2) so .few as to starve the soul or withhold from it the full nourishment it needs. E3ra and Nehemiah may have felt that the intense and prolong…
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Vers. 1-38.-The solemn.fast of assembled Israel. Notice three features in the people'~ religious life. 1. Their confession of sin-. 2. Their external reformation. 3. Their solemn adoption of the written word of God as the law of their life. Take these as representative, universal. I_. HUMILIATION AND CONFESSION. 1.…
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Vors. 2, 31-~3, 36-38.-Appeal. It. has been remarked thnt there is no prnyer in this lengthy address to God. And the absence of direct suppiication is certainly very noticeable. But it must be remembered that we may make our appe,il to Goel in more w11ys than by directly asking him for the blessings we desire at his h,…
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that the record of it in this chapter (vers. 6-38) is the exact copy of it as then written down for the use of the Levites ; or it may be the leading topics of it as afterwards recollected and recorded. We have seen that confession of sin is the groundwork an~ substance of it. But it includes ad<Yration and thanksgi…
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EXPOSITION. nations (ver. 30); 2. The command to hallow CHAPTER X. the sabbatb ; 3. The law concerning the sab- batical year (ver. 31); 4. The law of first- THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO SEALED, fruits (vers. 35-37) ; 5. The obligation to .AND THE 'I'ERMS OF THE COVENANT (eh. x.). pay tithes to the sacerdotal order (ver…
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Ycrs. 9-13. -Jeahua., Binnui 1 a.nd Xa.d- of ~.l.1e ~eople in tho time of J osirth (2 Kings miel represen_t the three chief families of xxm. 3), ,vhen they are said to ha.ve "stood tetume~ Levites (see Ezra ii. 40 ; iii. 9 ; to the covenant." lltoaea the aerve.nt of ~eh. VII. 43, 44; ix. 4, 5, &c.). Dinnui, God. The…
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rosponsiblo ; he was removablo ; he was Ver. 34.-We caat the Iota for the wood hound to remit tho gre11t bulk of thl) taxes offering. The "wood offering" is now first to the court. Under these circumstances, heard of. Fuel had probably been more 1tnd prob11bly in connection with an im- plentiful in the times of the …
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e. pract~ce of neglecting it on the pe.rt of Ver. 39.-The ohildren of Israel and the man)', if not of e.11. The natural result children of Levi shall bring the offering. would be the non-attende.nce of Levites at The priest.a were not to be troubled with tho Jerusalem, and so a falling - off in the conveyance of any…
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Ill. THE PROMISES Oil' WHICH IT CONSISTED. l, A general comprehensive promiR0 of obedience to all the law of God (ver. 29). 2. Certain special promises. (1) Not to intermarry with the heathen (ver. 30). A matter about which both Ezra and Nehemiah were very much concerned (see Ezra ix. 10; Neh. xiii. 23---30). Laxity in…
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Ver. 39.-Cleaving to the house of God. "We will not forsake the house of ou! God." Introduce, by reference to the context- I. THE PLACE. "The house of our God." The temple thus designated in a sense quite peculiar. In a deeper sense, however, the Christian Church is God's house, and each member of it (1 Cor. iii. 1…
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thiR we make a Rure covenant, und write it; nnd our princes, Levites, and priests, set their seal unto it" (eh. ix. 38). And Nehemiah and Zidkijah (Zadok) and many others, priests, Levites, and heads of families, formally signed and seal~d a solemn covenant, pledging themselves and the people generally to a purer and m…
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Vera. 1----39.-Solemn engagement to mainmin the house of God. I. ALL SHOULD PLEDGE THEMSELVES "not to forsake the house of our God.'' Those who are first in position, influence, capability should be leaders in caring for God's house. Distino- tion of rank is lost in the unity of dedication. The service of God will ca…
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them in co.se of o.tto.ck, o. forge popule.tion determine between candidates for an office. wo.s necesso.ry, From o. comparison of the One in ten. Ewald supposes that this was numbers given in this chapter (vers. 6-19) to be the proportion between the popula- tion of Jerusalem and the whole population with those of 1 …
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nnd Benjamitc chiefs. Athaiah, or Uthai, ns 21). The son of Kilkiah. Renlly the grand- the nRme is given in 1 Chron. ix. 4. The son (Ezra vii. I). The eon of Me ■hullam. son of Unie.h. The Rncestors e.ssigned to Or "Sha.\lum" (ibid. ver. 2). The ruler of Athaiah here and in 1 Chron. ix. are wholly the house of God. …
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prolongation of the temple hill, was 1t sort of to comprise seventeen places belonging to euburh of Je111salem, sometimes reckoned ae Judah, and fifteen belonging to Benjamin. vart of the city, sometimes as distinct from Of these thirty-two, a considerable propor. 1t. It was 11 convenient position for the tion had subo…
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&:c. Geba we.s reckoned an extreme city of but we hee.r of " "valley of Zcboim" in Benje.min towards the west, and consequently 1 Sam. xiii. 18, which seems to have le.in occurs last in the first list of Joshua (eh. east of Michmash, in the bleak country xviii. 24). Its proximity to Miohmaah and towards the Jordan. …
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whic~ is really ~uch, has its ow~ special work; a!1_d within e~c):i Church every member has his own aptitudes and functions (see Rom. xn. 4-8), ansmg from the diversities of nature, education, grace, and office. 3. Of advantJ\ges and disadvantages. For livelihood, culture, religion. The city, the country town, the vill…
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Yer. 2.-Volunteers. ".And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves,'' &c. .A large part of the work done for the good of the community is done by volunteers-men and women who "willingly offer themselves" to do what in the abstract bas no more claim on them than on others; and do it gratuitously.…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-36.-The true centralisation. We separate the nation from the world not to surround it with a false patriotism which means self-interest, but that in the fulfilment of the Divine purpose and law we may be the greater blessing to mankind. I. The true centre of the life of the commun…
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do without it, 11 seeking the honour that cometh from God only," and satisfier! with that. " Men heed thee not, men praise thee not ; The Master praises ;-what are men 1" And yet we should (b) so live that we may fairly hope to eam the benediction of our kind. While some skilful, selfish men have reaped the honours d…
1,153 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.